The Spring Festival in the 18th year of Wanli is still cold, so much so that the earth dragon has been turned on in the palace early. From the Qianqing Palace to the East and West Harem, relying on the continuous supply of coal mines in Beijing, there is no need to worry about the cold winter. All these things, every year It only cost about thirty to forty thousand taels, relying on the dividends from the Liaonan Saltworks, and the emperor didn't care about it.
Now that the Spring Festival has passed, His Majesty the Emperor in the palace has been freed from a series of ritual activities and is currently resting in the Qianqing Palace. However, his mood does not seem to be very good, and his face is even a little gloomy.
Taking a cup of tea from a lacquered gold plate in the hands of a palace maid, the faint fragrance of tea was refreshing. Zhu Yijun smacked it gently with his lips and looked thoughtfully at the two-color azure and crimson tea. The Yu Porcelain Dark Dragon Cup, admiring the exquisite art known as "Jun Porcelain Unparalleled" since ancient times (Yu Porcelain is the Jun Porcelain of the Gao family, avoiding the word Jun of Zhu Yijun).
The big man serving the emperor today is Zhang Cheng. He fully understands the emperor's thoughts, but he does not intend to speak first. Instead, he is prepared to wait for the emperor himself to mention that extremely important issue first, lest the emperor's mind changes in the future. I will not be able to afford the sin.
The few maids and eunuchs standing nearby were silent and secretly observed the emperor's facial expressions, even his subtle movements and expressions when he looked at the tea cup. They also guessed what confidential matters the emperor would ask Zhang Cheng about. These important matters were not something they dared to hear, and they did not want to know at all. However, they did not see any instructions from the emperor, and they did not dare to actively avoid them.
These palace maids and eunuchs usually do not need to wait for the emperor to speak. They will naturally act according to his eyebrows, lips or beard and any slight movement of any part, completely in line with the emperor's wishes.
When the emperor's eyes just left the tea cup, a palace maid immediately took a step forward, took the tea cup with a lacquered gold plate in both hands, and walked out carefully. The other palace maids and eunuchs seemed to have been instructed, and they were in perfect tacit understanding. They all started to move together, and they all retreated in an orderly manner, quietly but in an orderly manner.
Soon, Zhu Yijun stood up, walked back and forth in the Xinuan Pavilion for a while, and then asked in a low voice: "I heard that the Ministry of Revenue is very busy this year, right?"
"Yes, nothing can escape the eyes of the emperor." Zhang Cheng said cautiously: "This year, there are twice as many things in the household department as in previous years. If it were in the past, it would not be unusual for local officials to give up their jobs in a hurry...but it's not too high. For people like Situ, even if everything is complicated, it will be in order in his hands, so the emperor does not have to worry."
"Well, there is no need to say more about his pragmatic talents." Zhu Yijun said, paused slightly, and seemed to say casually: "Not only are these things not difficult for him, he even has time to do some other things."
Zhang Cheng seemed to be very casual and quickly answered: "Your Majesty, are you talking about Lu Song?"
Zhu Yijun stood by the window, looked at the flying snow outside the window, and said in an elusive tone: "I remember that in the early years, someone always told me that today's nobles would not know how to fight. I can only rely on the kindness of my ancestors to handle matters such as sacrifices for the Tian family.
Zhu Yingzhen and Zhang Yuangong also often said that they were worthy of the honor of their ancestors. In the past few years, when the Beijing camp was divided into two parts, they were willing to give up their duties in the Imperial Guard and only take care of the production and construction corps.
But I never expected that the servants of this group of people, once they received pragmatic command - not even direct command, would be able to send troops thousands of miles away and show their power in foreign countries... Why do you think this is?
?”
Zhang Cheng's heart was moved, but he still didn't dare to be presumptuous. He just continued to say cautiously: "I think those foreign soldiers are really ineffective, and they are far inferior to the Mongols, right?"
"Well, there is probably some truth to this." Zhu Yijun said calmly: "But what I am curious about is that since the country of Luzon was occupied by the Red Barbarians, and the Red Barbarians had such huge cannons decades ago, it can be seen that
After all, the extraordinary barbarians have some tricks up their sleeves.
However, pragmatism is just to send people to go south with a group of nobles and nobles, and they actually defeated the Hongyi... This is strange. I thought about it, when the Guangdong Navy described the Hongyi in the early years
, it’s not that the Hongyi are vulnerable, but that they have strong ships and huge cannons, and they have few opponents across the Southeast Asia. Do you think...is this the Guangdong Navy trying to deceive Shengcong again?"
"This... this servant only knows how to serve the emperor, so how do you know these things clearly? If the emperor has any questions, why not call Gao Situ into the palace, and it will be clear once you ask, right?" Zhang Cheng lowered his head and replied.
Zhu Yijun shook his head and said: "I would like to summon him to ask, but hasn't Huang Zhiting returned to Beijing? His wife and he are usually thousands of miles apart, so it is not easy for them to get together. Now that I have summoned him to ask, it will be unavoidable.
To be inconsiderate is not the way to be a king."
"Then... how about sending an envoy to Gao Situ's residence to find out more?"
"What's the difference?" Zhu Yijun turned his back to Zhang Cheng and waved his hand casually: "Based on my understanding of pragmatism, as long as I send someone over to ask about this matter, he will definitely come to the palace to see you immediately. It's snowing so heavily now
, he came all the way with the north wind blowing, should I not feel guilty after seeing him?"
Zhang Cheng was shocked when he heard this, and secretly reminded himself to be careful, but as soon as he said it, he showed no intention at all: "The emperor is joking, as the saying goes: thunder, rain and dew are all the kindness of the king. Several generations of the Gao Situ family have
Bathed in divine grace, he himself is a role model for courtiers. Situ will obey all orders given by the emperor. It has been nearly ten years since Gengchen entered the official position as the first in the gold list. In the past ten years, Gao Situ has served as a foreign official twice.
This is a wild and remote place. How could I ever hear him complain at all?
Although there was some controversy in the court about some of his practices when he was in charge of foreign affairs, with the ears and eyes of slaves and slaves, no matter what the nobles were, they had to admit that if Gao Situ was based on Guangxi, the southern border would be determined; if he was appointed in Liaodong, the Jurchens would be peaceful;
When he sent to Fengzhou, the Western captives followed; when he left the Hetao, he passed the Longping... Under such great achievements, even if he did something out of the ordinary, based on the humble opinion of the slave, I guess Gao Situ had his own reasons, and he probably had to do it.
For you."
"Huh?" Zhu Yijun turned around in surprise, stared at Zhang Cheng for a few times, nodded and said: "You have made a lot of progress, which is rare."
Zhang Cheng said quickly: "I dare not praise the emperor. Not to mention that I only know how to serve the emperor. Even if I really make some progress, it must be because I am surrounded by the emperor."
"Haha." Zhu Yijun smiled, not noticing that Zhang Cheng's previous words had actually given Gao pragmatic eye drops. He just said casually: "Pragmatic is a good person in everything, but his move to gather financial power this year is really...
...Well, some of the moves were too big. I know that his talent is unparalleled, but right now many people in the outer court are waiting to see him in a hurry, but he just doesn't take it seriously, thinking that these things will not trouble him...
Alas, in fact, I also know that he seems to be a peaceful person and is gentle to everyone, but in fact he is quite arrogant and dares to be the first in the world. This is no different from Mr. Gao back then. It's just that Mr. Gao's arrogance lies in his words and deeds.
There is no concealment in his actions, but his pragmatic pride is only hidden in his actions.
But this is what I am most worried about. Given Mr. Gao's personality, those who are his enemies will usually resort to face-to-face confrontation. However, if there are those who are pragmatic enemies, I am afraid that more of them will have to attack behind the scenes.
In the past, due to Pragmatic's various merits, this move would probably not have been easy, but last year, Pragmatic's move to gather financial power was really too ruthless. I heard that now even the ministries and government agencies have spent a little money buying pens, inks, paper and inkstones on their own.
Every cent is entered into the account and submitted to the Account Department for review. If something is too expensive, it will be inspected one by one by a group of eighth- and ninth-grade officials, and they may even be ordered to return it, or make up for it with their own funds...
Of course I know that I am pragmatically doing this for my sake and for the sake of the imperial court. However, if the water is clear, there will be no fish, and if the people are clear enough, there will be no disciples. This is the most sincere and reasonable statement. The crown is in front of the eyes, so it obscures the light; the whispers turn a deaf ear.
Therefore, if you are wise, you will not see things, and if you are wise, you will not hear things. To promote great virtues and forgive small mistakes is not to seek the righteousness of one person.
Nowadays, the pragmatic move is to seek perfection from all officials. Every account is recorded and everything is supervised. I am afraid that if he makes any mistakes, it will be the same situation as in the past when the whole dynasty was overthrown."
"Of course what the emperor said makes sense, but I don't think this slave could have made any mistakes with Gao Situ's talent?"
Zhang Cheng smiled, bowed his head and said: "Nowadays, the barbarian states everywhere in the north, south, west and east are all as afraid of Gao Situ as a tiger. When they hear the name of Situ, they will kowtow to the north, tremble and dare not speak.
The imperial treasury is also rich due to Gao Situ's talents. This year's annual income is so high that it is said that it may exceed tens of millions. With such a huge sum of money in Situ's hands, the various government offices in the court are, as the emperor said, even writing, ink and paper.
The purchase of inkstones is also under Situ's control. Who dares to do anything against Situ?
Just now, the emperor asked why the nobles, under the command of Gao Situ, could even sweep away a group of servants and conquer Luzon in a few months... The servant thought, maybe it was because they did not dare to offend Situ Huwei?
After all, the Production and Construction Corps was also founded by Situ, and today's profits depend on cooperation with Jinghua. If Gao Situ is harmed, where can he find such a huge sum of money?"
After Zhu Yijun heard this, he didn't speak for a long time. After a long time, he waved his hand and said: "You can go down, I want to read for a while."
Zhang Cheng responded honestly and exited in a dignified manner.
Zhu Yijun walked to the window again, remained silent for a while, then walked to the imperial couch and sat down with his lower buttocks leaning on the edge of the bed, as if there was someone lying on the imperial couch, and he seemed to be carefully serving that person. people.
"Father, you taught me back then, saying, 'All ministers in the world have selfish motives, and no one will be completely aligned with the emperor, because in the final analysis, the world belongs to the emperor, not to him.'
I don't understand. When I asked you what to do, you said, 'Select people and use them.' Wealth, of course, there is something else, and we want both.'
You asked me what I would choose if I became emperor. I said, naturally, I would choose the one that seeks fame. But you said wrong, saying, 'You can use any one, it just depends on how you use it.'
Later you said, 'When the emperor employs people, there are actually only two things to consider: whether the emperor can afford to give them what they want, and whether he is willing to give it.'
Then you and I slowly said, "It takes three days to test jade, and seven years to identify materials." Now let alone three years, even seven years have passed. It stands to reason that my son has already seen it clearly. , pragmatism is the real talent of Wang Zuo, and he is also loyal enough to his son.
As Zhang Cheng said, no matter where he was in office or what his situation was, he never complained. He did everything his son asked him to do, and he could even do more... Only such a person can serve his son. , is not only a blessing for his son, but also a blessing for Ming Dynasty.
However, you have never told your son what his attitude should be if his talent reaches his level and his power becomes so great that all the countries around the Ming Dynasty look down and bow.
You gave Mr. Gao a very heavy authority back then. He was the chief minister and also in charge of all affairs. The world's political affairs almost depended on him. I asked you about it, but you said that it didn't matter. You said, 'In the Ming Dynasty, no matter how important a civil servant is, How powerful is your power? As long as you don't relax on two points, at least you don't have to worry about this person becoming Wang Mang.'
My son still remembers the two points you mentioned clearly, that is, factory guards and Beijing camp.
However, among the factory guards today, Chen Ju from the East Factory has been friends with pragmatism for more than ten years, and he respects pragmatism as a teacher; among the imperial guards, one is his cousin and the other is his cousin. Even though he has never heard of pragmatism. Intervening in factory security matters, but this situation seems difficult to say is appropriate.
The capital camp was originally under the control of nobles and nobles, who shared weal and woe with our heavenly family, and our ancestors were at ease. But now the capital camp is divided into two parts. Qi Jiguang, the commander of the Imperial Guards, has been under the guidance of Qi Jiguang for many years, and he obeys his advice as if he were his disciple. mentor;
The Construction Corps still controls the deployment of military households and the production of military garrison fields, but because it cooperates so much with Jinghua, if it opposes pragmatism, it will inevitably turn against it. Not to mention that after the establishment of the Sea Trade Alliance, the nobles have followed pragmatism. Although doing business has brought huge benefits to the court, it has also made the nobles dare not have any objections to pragmatism..."
Zhu Yijun bent down, put his elbows on his knees, and put his hands on his forehead, and said to himself: "Pragmatism does not have the power of government, but the shadow of the chief assistant of the three generations is all in his body; pragmatism does not mean that of assistant ministers, but cabinet management Which political decision would dare go against his will?
You ask, can this factory guard now be regarded as his son's factory guard? Can this Beijing camp still be regarded as his son's Beijing camp? If you were in your son's situation, what would you do?"
He sighed, stood up, walked around the imperial couch several times, and then said: "My son still feels that pragmatism has no ill intentions towards his son, but it's just that now... you think he is so powerful, he will
Could it be that we have already reached the point of "flying dragon in the sky"? If we continue to turn a blind eye, will we then have "a dragon with regrets"?
With your great wisdom, if you were faced with this situation, where would you proceed so that the situation would not get out of control and pragmatism would not misunderstand your son's thoughts?"
----------
Thanks to book friend "Cao Mianzi" for your reward and support, thank you!
Thanks to book friends "Shen Domination 2", "Cao Mianzi", "All the Way Sex Friends" and "CosifanTutte" for their monthly support, thank you!